Definition
A cramp, or muscle spasm, is usually a painful and unintentional tenseness of the muscles. The muscles of the internal organs belong to the so-called smooth musculature and cannot be controlled arbitrarily. The abdominal wall is lined with skeletal muscles that can be controlled at will.
The cause of cramps in the abdomen is usually the internal organs. However, the term “cramp” is rather uncommon in technical terminology. Instead, the term “colic” is more appropriate.
The most characteristic feature of these often very severe pains is their contraction-like character, which means that the intensity of the pain is wavelike – i.e. it alternately increases and decreases. It is also possible to have phases of the greatest possible freedom from symptoms. In addition, colicky pain typically occurs independently of movement.
Causes
Abdominal cramps can originate in all organs of the abdominal cavity (abdomen), which are lined by a layer of smooth muscles. In addition to the small and large intestine, this includes in particular the ureters and the gall bladder, as well as the bile ducts. Rather rarely the bladder, stomach, pancreas, uterus or seminal ducts are affected.
Colic often develops in these organs due to the obstruction of the respective duct or hollow organ. This causes the muscles to remove the blockage by spasmodic contractions in order to allow a new passage (for example of the intestinal contents). In the case of the bile ducts or ureters, this blockage is almost always caused by stones, which in turn can have very different causes.
Cramps of the intestinal muscles can also be caused by increased resistance. On the one hand, this can be caused by a narrowing of the intestinal volume in one or more places, but on the other hand it can also be caused by a complete blockage of the intestine by its contents. The complete closure of the intestine is called ileus.
The cause of an intestinal spasm can also be an infection. In this case, the cramping of the musculature aims at emptying the intestine of its infectious contents as quickly as possible. Cramps of the intestinal musculature can also be caused by an increased resistance.
On the one hand, this can be caused by a narrowing of the intestinal volume at one or more points, but on the other hand, it can also be caused by a complete closure of the intestine by its contents. The complete closure of the intestine is called ileus. The cause of an intestinal spasm can also be an infection. In this case, the cramping of the musculature aims at emptying the intestine of its infectious contents as quickly as possible.
